Do phthalates in sex toys pose a health risk?

There is simply not enough data to answer this question directly. Consider the information regarding phthalates in general.

A variety of individuals and research institutions have weighed in and expressed concern ranging from mild to serious. There is a growing body of research that suggests phthalates have a toxic effect, particularly on the male reproductive system. Most organizations (with the notable exception of the chemical industry) agree that phthalates pose some risk to health and reproduction, both directly and indirectly through the impact on the environment.

Studies on rodents have revealed that when exposed to very large doses, phthalates can cause damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys, testes and can cause hormonal disruption. Preliminary studies on humans (where they have measured phthalate levels in the body and compared them to other health markers) have suggested a relationship between phthalates and poor semen quality and a relationship between phthalates and genital development.

In October of 2005 the National Toxicology Program at the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction issued a report finding “minimal” to “some” concern regarding the impact of phthalates on human reproduction.

Phthalate molecules are not chemically bound to the plastics they soften, and as such, phthalates can “break free” from plastic fairly easily, and cause rubber and jelly toys to deteriorate over time. Some studies have reported that phthalates may mimic the female hormone oestrogen.

Most recently, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency released a report on the safety of phthalates in sex toys. According to the report, titled Survey and health assessment of chemicals substances in sex toys , using sex toys with phthalates for one hour a day or less poses no health risks unless you are pregnant or nursing.

At the same time, there is a move on the part of health care leaders in the U.S. and Europe to prefer products that don’t contain phthalates in the interest of both patient and practitioner safety.

Given all this it seems reasonable to say that it would be better if nothing were made with phthalates. If you are able to afford sex toys that are phthalate-free I would certainly recommend them over toys that contain phthalates.